Chipped, cracked or knocked-out tooth: what to do in the first hour
Knocked-out adult tooth
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the white part), never by the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline. Do not scrub, dry or wrap it in tissue.
- If you can, push it gently back into the socket the right way round and bite on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If you cannot, keep it in a small container of milk, or inside your cheek (adults only).
- See a dentist straight away. A tooth replanted within the first hour has the best chance of being kept.
Baby teeth are not put back, because this can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Bring the child to a dentist to check for other injuries.
Chipped tooth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water and keep any broken piece in milk or water; sometimes it can be bonded back.
- Cover a sharp edge with orthodontic wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Avoid very hot, cold or hard food.
- See a dentist within a day or two. Small chips are often smoothed or repaired with a tooth-coloured filling; larger breaks may need a crown.
See a dentist the same day if a pink or red spot or bleeding is visible in the broken surface (the nerve may be exposed), the tooth is very sensitive or painful, or the tooth is loose or has been pushed out of position.
Cracked tooth
A cracked tooth often gives a sharp pain when you bite on one spot or release the bite, and sensitivity to cold, but may not show any visible crack. Avoid chewing on that side and see a dentist within a few days. Depending on how deep the crack runs, treatment may be a filling, a crown to hold the tooth together, root canal treatment if the nerve is affected, or removal if the crack extends down the root.
Loose or pushed-in tooth after a knock
Do not try to move the tooth. Bite gently on a clean cloth and see a dentist the same day. The tooth may need to be repositioned and splinted to its neighbours while it heals, and checked over the following months, because a knocked tooth can lose its nerve even if it looks fine at first.
When to go to the hospital instead
Go to a hospital emergency department for a suspected broken jaw, a jaw that will not close properly, any head injury with headache, vomiting or drowsiness, or deep cuts to the lips, tongue or face. More in dental emergency in Singapore.
Preventing dental injuries
A mouthguard is worth wearing for contact sports such as rugby, hockey, martial arts and basketball. A custom-made mouthguard fitted by a dentist stays in place better than a boil-and-bite one.
Paying for repairs
Fillings, X-rays, extractions, root canal treatment and crowns are CHAS-claimable for eligible cardholders (CHAS). For an injury, a personal accident policy may cover treatment; we can provide a memo describing the injury and treatment (insurance).
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
Time matters most. A tooth that is put back within the first hour, or kept moist in milk until a dentist can replant it, has the best chance of reattaching. A tooth that has dried out for a long time is much less likely to survive.
What should I keep a knocked-out tooth in?
Milk is best for keeping the root cells alive for a short time. Saline or the inside of your own cheek also work.
Does a small chip in a tooth need treatment?
A small chip that is not sensitive may only need smoothing, but it is worth having it checked, because a chip can hide a crack or expose dentine that becomes sensitive or decays.
Can a cracked tooth heal by itself?
No. Unlike bone, enamel and dentine do not heal. A crack can spread over time, so the aim of treatment is to hold the tooth together and protect it before it splits further.
Sources
- National Dental Centre Singapore, Emergency dental services
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.